Railroad Historical Societies

[tatans]

In the last year I have contacted 7 different railway historical organizations with, what I thought were reasonable queries particular to that railroad, such as, what type of tender was used on a specific loco, or what wheels on a certain caboose, how many engines they ran, etc. etc. Some societies have a very large staff according to their websites (I realize a lot are volunteers) I have had 2 actual responses and these were filled with even more info than I requested and also lots of enthusiasm, I can't thank them enough. The rest completely ignored my request with no contact, One (the historical locomotive director) said he knew nothing about steam, but would pass on my message, never heard from them again, What is the purpose of these sites if not historical information? I realize they are mostly volunteers but isn't this the role of the organization. The 2 who responded got an e-mail from me praising their efforts.

[dknelson]

The societies I know most about are spread pretty thin when it comes to staff. Some just barely exist. These societies exist primarily to meet the needs of their dues-paying members. True , the interests of paying members are met by having a robust Q&A section, as that can interest manufacturers in producing books, videos and models of that prototype and encourages others to join and maintain general interest in the railroad. Thus while your inquiries are perhaps not their primary reason for being they are among the reasons, just not tops on the totem pole. While I am sorry your questions were not answered, it might well be that your question will be printed and answered in issues of the society's magazine -- which should encourage you to buy it at the LHS. Another idea is to take out a paid classified ad in their magazine and ask your question, thereby getting your info as well as supporting the organization.
Dave Nelson

[Fergmiester]

I'm lucky in this regard as there seems to be some very knowledgeable people in this area. Bill Linley and Gary Ness have both written books on CN, CP and subsidiaries in Eastern Canada.

Your best bet might be to look in the local and national archives.

[Paul3]

tatans wrote:

QUOTE: In the last year I have contacted 7 different railway historical organizations with, what I thought were reasonable queries particular to that railroad, such as, what type of tender was used on a specific loco, or what wheels on a certain caboose, how many engines they ran, etc. etc.

Well, you would probably get more responses if you asked something a little more simple. For example, if you asked about tenders on the New Haven Forum, you would most likely not get too many responses because the NH played musical chairs with their tenders. For example, 0-8-0's were delivered with V-2 Vandys that were supposed to be put behind 4-8-2's...but some of the 0-8-0's kept the big tenders for months before the switch. NH I-4 Pacifics had small 4-axle, large 6 axle, and Vandy tenders all during the same period. And so on. If such records exist, they would be kept in the UConn RR Archives in Storrs, CT. And while it's free, UConn's collection is so vast that it would take weeks to find the info.

And caboose wheels? If all you wanted to know was the size, that is one thing (many societies have diagram books for cabooses and other equipment). But if you want to know who made the wheels on number caboose #C-514 and when they were installed, then it would again take some digging through the company records (if they exist).

And for number of engines they ran, well, do you mean how many they ran all at once, or how many they owned over their lifespan? Many societies have access to "Summary of Equipment" booklets that gives a detailed overview of the motive power and rolling stock for a particluar 6 month segment. If what you were asking for was beyond this scope, then you would have a bit of trouble getting an answer.

And finally, most societies will go more out of their way for a fellow member of said organization. If you are John Doe off the street, then the help will be less than their best. Most of these guys do have other things to do, like their own research for their magazine or newsletter that actually supports their organization.

And finally, some of this societies are not really. They are more like a magazine subscription and a small staff of volunteers who put it all together.

Paul A. Cutler III
*****************
Weather Or No Go New Haven
*****************

[Anonymous]

I want to put a plug in for The Chesapeake and Ohio Historical Society, Inc.

At our local fair there is a lady that sells little wooden boxes with just about any pic you like. One in particular caught my eye first because it reminded me of a Terry Redlin. It is a steam locomotive at night. It appears to be at a layover shack or something. For a small picture there is a ton of detail.

There was enough detail to read the railroad name and engine number. I was curious to find out if it were a real engine or made up. It turns out it is a real locomotive that still exists but is in sorry shape. Although I still don't know the answer to my original question about who the artist was though.

I wrote off to the C&O HS on 8-31 and received a packet in the mail 9-4. The president of the HS copied 10 pages of material for me. Due to his prompt and courteuos response I find myself even more interested in the C&O.





This does not do it justice but if by chance anyone should recognize something about the artist please sing out.

[darth9x9]

One of the problems RHSs is that their expert on the topic is not a user of a computer. The two rarely meet. I find it best to meet and the staff of a RHS at train shows and ask the questions. They are more likely to find the expert (if they are at the show) or at least give you a name and phone number to contact them.

BC

[CBQ_Guy]

If ya wanna play, ya gotta PAY!

[Todd McWilliam]

I contacted the Chicago and North Western Historical society about getting some blue prints and photos of a railroad depot, they prompltly sent them to me for a small fee, and were very nice.

[Anonymous]

You might have to search out additional email addresses or find a phone number or postal address. As it was said, volunteers are often spread thin through the societies, some are poor at checking emails if they even check it in the first place.

I sent an email to a scenic railroad to volunteer my services expecting a speedy response since their website said they were in immediate need of help. Sent it to their director in fact, with a note to please forward to a volunteer coordinator. Guess they weren't in such dire need after all. Never heard back.

Wayne

[cacole]

Even the Web sites of most historical societies are on a member's personal computer at home, and if that member doesn't check e-mail, you'll never hear from them. I was running a Web site for the Cochise & Western Model Railroad Club in Sierra Vista, Arizona, on my personal Internet Service Provider (ISP) account, but when I changed ISPs there's no way I can go back and check e-mail or update the site, so it is just languishing. Some day I may get around the putting the site on my currrent ISP, but the site would have to be re-created from scratch, including all new photos, because a hard drive that had the old site data on it crashed and had to be replaced. No other club members have any interest in whether or not the site is ever updated, so why bother? Historical societies may be in the same predicament -- depending on one member to do all the work, while everyone else just sits around and does nothing.

[Anonymous]

Before there were historical societies, modelers would do the research themselves - check books in libraries, buy or borrow books, etc. This is still possible. You don't have to have someone else do all of the work for you. What about doing a Google search to see if there are websites that cater to the roads you are looking for?

There are also many YahooGroups for specific railroads. The fact that someone started a group may be an indication that there are members available and willing to share their info online. When you do a search on YahooGroups, they will list the number of people on the lists, and obviously the ones with the most names are probably the ones to look into. I know I've received some very helpful info on several of the lists that I am on.

Good luck!

Bob Boudreau

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Todd McWilliam

I contacted the Chicago and North Western Historical society about getting some blue prints and photos of a railroad depot, they prompltly sent them to me for a small fee, and were very nice.

Thank you Todd for the compliment[^] As a member of the CNWHS we do strive to answer every request,and question,but you must remember that we may not have the answer and may not be able to give you what you may want. As a member,I do have quite alot of resources(books,maps,magazine articles,stuff that the railroads threw out that I grabbed and took home,even requesting info from the railroad itself ) and info that you may want to inquire about,though there are sometimes where we/myself just dont have the material that you want. And yes it sometimes will cost a little to send you the stuff. Afterall...nothing is free anymore. My guess is that the person you talked to and wanted certain info on,I'm sure he did not know about it,and maybe he didn't know whom to send your inquire to.Then again he may be just someone who does a little volunteering on the side.Your guess is as good as mine. Though with this website,I would post your question and see what happens-you never know,someone just might have the info you want.[:)]

[johncolley]

I want to add to this subject: Kudos for the bunch of "Rocky" fans that make up the Great Northern Railway Historical Society. A great quarterly magazine and info, plus access to a fantastic library. Contact them at: gnrhs.org

[orsonroy]

RR historical societies vary in terms of usefulness. Extreme cases include the N&WHS, which along with the C&OHS, might be two of the best in the country, versus organizations like the TP&WHS, which is pretty much dead & useless. Most are somewhere in between.

To get the most out of a HS, you either have to join, or find someone in the know. Most people are NOT online, especially those with the knowledge base, so it's generally best to attend a meeting to actually ask questions. Since virtually all HS are volunteer-based, it is generally difficult to get questions answered in a timely fashion.

There are other options besides the HS. Yahoo has hundreds of online RR discussion forums, and they're generally stocked with knowledgable folk. Try asking questions in some of them (and not necessarily ones related just to the target railroad. There are boards for general themes, like steam engines, freight cars and passenger cars). Another option is to hit up general RR conventions where it's likely that fans of the target road will be in attendance.

In all, it comes down to doing your own research.

[tatans]

Great replies, thanks to all, I now realize the system of H.S's, and I truly appreciate the work they do, Most of my questions were rather simple (for example) is there a train station in Whitefish, Montana? I would be looking for an answer: yes or no (there is!) I'm not really interested in the steel guage thickness and rivet spacing dimensions of an elsco feedwater heater, The staff at these sites face all the goofy problems the rest of us put up with daily. I would add the staff at a great percentage of H.S's are terrific and are to be commended, the rest we just live with, your replies answered a lot of my concerns, thanks again.

[willy6]

Big_Girl_4005
I saw a picture like that but can't remember where, you might try
www.nationalrrmuseum.org

[Fergmiester]

Two good reference materials for those interested in Canadian Railroading is CP Tracks and CN SIG (Special Interest Group) They could put you in touch with what your looking for as they seem to have a wealth of knowledge.

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by Fergmiester

Two good reference materials for those interested in Canadian Railroading is CP Tracks and CN SIG (Special Interest Group) They could put you in touch with what your looking for as they seem to have a wealth of knowledge.

A little bit of clarification: "CP Tracks" is the bimonthly newsletter of the CPSIG, their YahooGroup is "cpsig" (lower case letters); The CN SIG's newsletter is "CN Lines", and their YahooGroups list is "CNLines-CNet".

Both newsletters are actually high quality magazines with full color covers and excellent photo reproduction in color and black and white inside as well. Both are available to non members through major hobby shops in Canada. SIG members receive theirs in the mail. Absolutely fabulous sources of info and photos!

Bob Boudreau

[n2mopac]

I'm sure each historical society has its own strengths and weaknesses. I have been a life-long MoPac fan (thus the handle) and used to be a member of the MP Historical Society. They published a quarterly journal which was good and do some great restoration work on real equipment at the Museum of Transportation in St. Louis where they are headquartered. They even have a pretty good collection of documents and literature, but you have to go to St. Louis if you want to get real access to it. The society is staffed purely by volunteers, each has his own level of knowledge about his own area of interest, but none are actally paid to reasearch questions for people, even for members. I eventually let my membership drop because outside of the journal and the annual calendar I wasn't getting my money's worth. I'm sure this is true of other societies as well. If you want to get value from their libraries you have to go there and use them yourself.
Ron

[ClinchValleySD40]

As a member of 8 Historical Societies, I highly recommend everyone check them out. Most all I've ever seen are really great. And some have some really great magazines.

[Anonymous]

QUOTE: Originally posted by willy6

Big_Girl_4005
I saw a picture like that but can't remember where, you might try
www.nationalrrmuseum.org

Thank you very much for the tip willy6. [:D]

[tatans]

Just received a pile of information from NICKEL PLATE ROAD HISTORICAL SOCIETY, they sent me more than enough information per my request, this site is great for any information on NKP. thanks again for the help.